What we need from you
- A file in Excel or delimited text (fixed-width works with a layout)
- Names and address fields in separate columns if possible
- Your mail date, so move updates fall inside the USPS window
Prepare the data · CASS & NCOA
Mail to addresses that exist, for people who still live there.
CASS processing checks every address against USPS data and puts it in the format postal equipment expects. NCOA processing finds people and businesses that filed a change of address and updates them. Together they are the foundation of a deliverable list.
See how it works
Addresses, corrected and updated
CASS fixes and verifies the address. NCOA updates it when someone has moved.
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What you get
Fewer returns
Correct and current addresses mean fewer pieces printed and paid for that never arrive.
Postage eligibility
Address standardization and move updates are baseline requirements for presorted and automation prices.
A record of change
Flags show which addresses were corrected, which moved and which could not be confirmed.
In plain terms
The terms, explained
CASS
Make every address one the USPS recognizes.
The Coding Accuracy Support System certifies address-matching software. CASS-certified processing corrects street names and suffixes, adds ZIP+4 and delivery point codes and identifies addresses that can't be matched.
DPV
Confirm the address actually receives mail.
Delivery Point Validation confirms that an address is a real delivery point, including apartment or suite where it applies.
NCOA
Stop mailing to people who moved.
Processing through the USPS NCOALink system compares your list to permanent change-of-address filings and returns new addresses where available.
Move Update
Stay eligible for commercial postage prices.
Mailers claiming presorted First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail prices must update addresses with an approved method within 95 days before the mailing date.
Details
Postage eligibility depends on all USPS requirements for a mailing, not address processing alone.
CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) is the USPS program that certifies address-matching software. CASS-certified processing standardizes addresses to USPS format, adds ZIP+4 and delivery point codes and flags addresses the software cannot match.
It is a basic requirement for most presort and automation postage prices, and it catches many problems before they become returned mail.
NCOA refers to the USPS National Change of Address data, accessed through the NCOALink system. Processing a list against it finds people and businesses that filed a permanent change of address and returns their new address where one is available.
Mailers claiming presorted First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail prices must meet the USPS Move Update standard, and NCOALink processing within 95 days before the mailing date is one of the approved ways to meet it.
Yes. AVS can prepare and process mailing data, append walk sequence information, perform CASS/NCOA processing, and provide files in the format required by the customer or production partner. We can send files straight to your mail house or printer.
Excel and delimited text files (comma, tab, pipe or colon) work well. Fixed-width text files are fine with a file layout. We deliver in the format your printer, mail house or CRM needs.
Related
Next step
Tell us who you want to reach. We'll show you what's possible.
A count request takes a couple of minutes. A member of the AVS team reviews every request personally.
Or call 714-617-4589How AVS works
- 01
Tell us who you want to reach.
A sentence is enough to start: who, where, and what the campaign needs to do.
- 02
We help define the target.
Recommended selections, geography and a count you can react to.
- 03
We source and prepare the data.
Licensed, cleaned, processed and formatted for how you will use it.
- 04
You receive campaign-ready data.
Delivered to you or your production partner, in the format they require.